Crystal Steel Fabricators | Delmar, DE
NYC PENN 2 Redevelopment Wins Prestigious AISC IDEAS Award
The $650M transformation of PENN 2 (formerly Two Penn Plaza) brings new life to a 1960s Midtown Manhattan office tower, leveraging its original steel frame to support a bold, modern expansion. The project won AISC’S 2025 Excellence in Engineering IDEAS Award.
A key feature of the redevelopment is the Bustle—a 75-ft by 450-ft steel-framed addition hovering 50 ft above the sidewalk, supported by 14 sloped columns placed with precision above the Penn Station trainshed. This addition creates 100,000 sq. ft of column-free office space, 43,800 sq. ft of terraces, and a public plaza, activating the streetscape and maximizing previously underutilized space.
Structural steel was essential to the project’s success. Engineers tested original steel from both Penn Station and the 1968 tower—ASTM A7/A9 and A36 respectively—and found it exceeded today’s standards. This allowed the design team to reuse and reinforce existing elements efficiently and sustainably. Framing bays were selectively demolished, column lengths increased, and new infill erected without significantly altering load paths.
Aesthetic goals aligned with performance: slender AESS (Category 4) sloped and vertical HSS columns, exposed truss diagonals, and cast steel pin connections form expressive design elements. The Bustle’s tapered plate girders also create a faceted, LED-lit soffit visible from street level.
Inside the tower, entire floors were modified to create a triple-height lobby, double-height loggias, and rooftop terraces. Reinforced framing supports new loads, while careful sequencing and temporary supports enabled major steel work above active train lines with minimal disruption.
Completed in December 2023, PENN 2’s redevelopment reused much of the existing structure while avoiding a full rebuild. This minimized waste and preserved transit access—an environmental and logistical win. Now open, the project delivers next-generation amenities, improved public space, and iconic steel architecture to the heart of the Penn District.
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